2. Stack the 13 assorted floral, print, and tone-on-tone 12" squares, right sides up, aligning edges. There should be contrast between adjacent squares because in the completed project each print will be in a block with the prints above and below it. There also must be contrast between the first and last fabrics in the stack. Note: Twelve squares will make twelve blocks, but quiltmaker Laura Boehnke added an extra fabric square to ensure variety and contrast in her finished blocks.

4. Using a large, sharp rotary cutter with cutting mat and acrylic ruler, press firmly on stack and cut through freezer-paper template and all squares on outside drawn square.

5. Beginning with section C and working backward, cut template and stacked squares apart on lines separating sections A, B, and C. Then cut on remaining lines to separate each section into three stacks each (Photo 3).

About the Method

Designers Pam Soliday and Janet Nesbitt created this star block with their improvisational "crazy" method. You’ll sew together pieces in sections A, B, and C; join sections into blocks; then square up blocks.

As you join pieces, try to keep inside seams straight, putting extra fabric toward outside edge. Dots on the Cutting Template indicate where it is helpful to maintain a 1/4" seam allowance (Photo 5). When joining two pieces, match them at the dot end of the 1/4" seam line; don’t worry if the other end isn’t even after stitching. If there aren’t any dots, center one piece on the other to stitch.

6. Repeat steps 1–5 to make 12 star blocks total. Once familiar with "crazy" piecing, save time by chain-piecing all A1 and A2 pieces, then all B1 and B2 pieces, etc. Press, clip apart, and re-stack units before adding the next piece in the sequence.